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NORFOLK, Va. – Arthur Diamonstein, the former president and chairman of third-generation Paramount Sleep Co. who led the company through a significant period of growth, has died. He was 92.

Diamonstein joined the family mattress manufacturing business co-founded in 1935 by his father upon his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army in 1960. During his tenure with Paramount, Diamonstein served as a truck driver and shipping supervisor, while rising through the ranks. After learning all aspects of the business, he was named president and shepherding the company though a sustained period of growth.

He valued his relationships with employees, and until the outbreak of the pandemic, Diamonstein came to his office everyday where he would sit and visit with employees, even after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Born March 11, 1930 in Norfolk, Va., Diamonstein was predeceased by his wife, Renée Gartner Diamonstein. His parents, Albert and Ida Goldblatt Diamonstein; his brother, Robert Diamonstein; and, his stepmother, Ida H. Diamonstein also predeceased him.

Growing up in the Larchmont section of Norfolk, Diamonstein graduated from Maury High School in 1948. He went attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech) and majored in Business Administration. He served his country in the Korean War as part of the Army’s 45th Thunderbird Division until the end of the conflict. He was awarded a Purple Heart for his bravery and served in the Army Reserves until he was honorably discharged.

During his career at Paramount Sleep, Diamonstein served on a variety of community boards, including Norfolk Academy, board of trustees and vice president of buildings and grounds; Old Dominion University, board of visitors and rector; Chrysler Museum of Art, board of trustees and treasurer; The General Douglas MacArthur Foundation, board of trustees and chairman; and Fort Norfolk Retirement Center also known as Harbors’ Edge, board of trustees and chairman; and the boards of Virginia Opera, Tidewater Winds, The Virginia Symphony and Ohef Sholom Temple. Additionally, he served as chairman of the board of directors of the Norfolk Convention and Visitors Bureau and he was proud to say that under his leadership the bureau made significant steps in positioning Norfolk as a prime Mid-Atlantic tourism and meeting destination.

The Cosmopolitan Club recognized Arthur as Norfolk’s First Citizen for 2001, honoring his lifelong commitment to his hometown.

Arthur married the love of his life, Renée in 1955. They were married for nearly 64 years until her passing in 2019. The couple raised their family in the famous “round house” in Norfolk’s Algonquin Park.

He is survived by his three children and their spouses, Richard Diamonstein (Beth), Jamie Diamonstein (Carol), and Anne Fleder (Lawrence). He was also blessed with seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Together, the Renée and Arthur Diamonstein traveled the world, visiting many places and experiencing many cultures, creating wonderful memories and photo albums along the way. He was not shy about giving Renée credit for his interests in art and travel. The couple was dedicated to their community and gave generously of their time and talent.

Diamonstein was relentless in keeping in shape, enjoying his weekly tennis matches and cycling or walking the streets of Norfolk long before that was considered “a thing,” as well as boating and fishing. He loved to tell jokes and make people laugh. He was a friend to everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

The family will have a private burial. A memorial service and reception will take place Sept. 14 at 11 a.m. at Ohef Sholom Temple in Norfolk. Rabbi Rosalin Mandelberg will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The General Douglas MacArthur Foundation  and The Chrysler Museum of Art, Arthur and Renée Diamonstein Glass Purchase Fund or a charity of your choice. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments Norfolk Chapel is handling arrangements.

I’m Sheila Long O’Mara, executive editor at Furniture Today. Throughout my 25-year career in the home furnishings industry, I have been an editor with a number of industry publications and spent a brief stint with a public relations agency where I worked with some of the industry’s leading bedding brands. I rejoined Furniture Today in December 2020 with a focus on bedding and sleep products. It’s a homecoming for me, as I was a writer and editor with Furniture Today from 1994 until 2002. I’m happy to be back and look forward to telling the important stories impacting bedding retailers and manufacturers.

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